Micky O - Going at 50% or 100%?

[gilze]

With magic its great to see how his natural ability and skills can keep him on the park competing against fully fit and firing players. not only that but whilst we obviously don't get as much out of him as we used to, I think we still manage to do astonishingly well with his influence at full forward. I've also had tendonitis, possibly a milder case when hearing about Micks pain. I'd say that at the moment he's around 70-75% fit and I remember him saying recently that he beleives he can reach his maximum fitness by round 15 this year. I think people tend to underestimate his work in assisting goals and I think he works really well with BBBH and often finds his target.

Whilst he is often associated with injuries i can't get why people always seem to mention his 'history with hamstring injuries' and I'm pretty sure I heard it again on the weekend. Besides tearing it late in 2003 and having problems getting it right early in 2004 I can't recollect him having any real issues with it.

In terms of how much longer we'll see him running around for, I'm a very confident man in that he managed to play every game after the half way mark in 2004 and besides getting himself right early on in this year, hasn't really looked like getting hurt so on that basis and his limited training regime, i'm hoping for at least another 3 years after this although I do recognise that he may well deteriorate. Far from 100% and I don't think he'll ever get there but I am willing to bet that he'll kick a bag of 6 or more this year, maybe even this weekend

[Bunyip]

Originally posted by gilze
With magic its great to see how his natural ability and skills can keep him on the park competing against fully fit and firing players.

Yes, I too have felt the pain and frustration of patella tendonitis and this partly accounts for my interest in this thread I guess.

Good point gilze. I think this point is particualrly noteworthy given how much emphasis is placed on players as "athletes" these days. This emphasis has even led some critics to decry the decline of "footballers" in the game of footy.

It is interstesting that a 70-80 per cent fit MOL can still exert a considerable influence over the game. I wouldn't describe MOL as lacking in athleticism, but I reckon he is more of a gifted footballer than an athlete. Long live footballers in footy!

[sharpie]

Originally posted by Bunyip
I reckon he is more of a gifted footballer than an athlete. Long live footballers in footy!

Amen.

I feel that the tide is turning a bit away from selecting athletes in the drafts and trying to teach them ball skills. I think this year we will find a much greater focus on drafting natural footballers and getting them fit.

If you need any convincing of this, look at Spriggs vs Moore. I know which one I'd want in my team. Even Vogels fits the footballer mould instead of the athlete. For all McVeigh's athleticism, he has probably only just in the last 2 weeks had considerable game time to match his fitness after 1.5 years playing off the bench.

[giant]

Originally posted by Bunyip
Yes, I too have felt the pain and frustration of patella tendonitis and this partly accounts for my interest in this thread I guess.

One of the commentators suggested that the pain comes and goes with tendonitis - is that correct or is it something that's there after every game? if the latter, you could imagine it must have a debilitating mental impact.

I remember finally packing in my illustrious career (in WA Amateurs) after realising it was taking me 2 hrs to get out of bed on a Sunday and the reason was back pain & not the volumes of post-match celebratory drinks.

[NMWBloods]

It varies from game to game, day to day and within games. I've had tendonitis for over a decade. My doctor says it's often called 'jumper's knees' and it is very common in basketballers.

I will sometimes get pain while just walking down the street or sitting in a chair. When playing basketball, sometimes it hurts and sometimes it is fine.

One of the differences in basketball is that you are constantly on the move and while it stays warm you don't notice it so much. In football, there are quieter times deep forward (particularly when we have few I50s!!) and it may become more noticeable at those times.

[mocaholic]

Originally posted by sharpie
Amen.

I feel that the tide is turning a bit away from selecting athletes in the drafts and trying to teach them ball skills. I think this year we will find a much greater focus on drafting natural footballers and getting them fit.

If you need any convincing of this, look at Spriggs vs Moore. I know which one I'd want in my team. Even Vogels fits the footballer mould instead of the athlete. For all McVeigh's athleticism, he has probably only just in the last 2 weeks had considerable game time to match his fitness after 1.5 years playing off the bench.

Good point.

Have not been a huge rap for Magic given, and only because of, his injuries. It is amazing though the things that he can occasionally do.

Rocket made the comment that when he's on his impossible to match up - pace, skill, height, nous. He makes great position. He marks out in front. He goes one-on-one and can pick the exact second when to push off an opponent or even arrogantly mark one-handed. When the ball comes in quick you want him there. He's also stated that he's improving his match fitness as the games go on. A consistent four goal return plus an assist here or there would be great.

[Nico]

MOL probably needs a few wet grounds to help him along. More rain effected to take the sting out of the ground. Bit like racehorses with bad pins. Telstra Dome surface 2 weeks running probably did him no good.